OLYMPIA, Greece — The final preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games began Thursday, as the traditional lighting of the Olympic torch took place in Greece.
Robed actresses played the roles of the Vestal Virgins in the ancient ceremony at the Temple of Hera in Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
Ino Menegaki played the role of the high priestess, who lit the flame using the rays of the sun. This is done by using a parabolic mirror that concentrates sunlight to ignite the flame.
The torch will travel around Greece before arriving in the UK on May 18.
It was handed to torchbearer Spyros Gianniotis — a Greek world swimming champion who was born in Liverpool, England — who ran through the ancient Olympic stadium. He then handed it to Alex Loukos, a member of the victorious London bid team.
London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said, “This [Thursday] morning’s ceremony reminds us of the core mission and responsibility of London 2012 — to inspire young people. We are inspired just by being here, in a location where the peoples of the ancient world gathered and competed in legendary athletic contests.”
The London 2012 Olympics begins July 27.